Essential Employment Law is a one-day HR program led by employment law experts Connie Cornell, Michael W. Fox and Steven Mierl, and is designed to provide overviews and updates on issues related to Texas employment law. Content is extensive and exhaustive with topics ranging from employment-at-will to discrimination issues, wage and hour violations, retaliation, FMLA and more.

This practical course provides detailed written materials and handbook recommendations, and is ideal for HR professionals and beginning employment lawyers.

INSTRUCTORS

Connie L. Cornell, PHR, (In Austin, Houston and Dallas) is a founding partner of Cornell Smith Mierl & Brutocao, LLP, an Austin labor and employment law firm. She is Board Certified in Labor and Employment law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is also certified as a Professional in Human Resources by the national Society for Human Resource Management.

Michael W. Fox (In Houston and Dallas) is a shareholder in the Austin office of Ogletree Deakins, a national labor and employment law firm. He has represented employers in employment law matters for more than 35 years, is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is a Fellow in the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers.

Steven L. Mierl (In Austin) is a founding partner of Cornell Smith Mierl & Brutocao, LLP, an Austin labor and employment law firm. His practice includes all areas of employment litigation, and employer consulting on issues arising from hiring through termination, dispute resolution, contract and document drafting, and management training. He also has extensive experience with EEOC, DOL, TWC, and OSHA agency actions.

Schedule

Wednesday Morning

7:45 am

Registration Opens

Includes continental breakfast.

8:20 am

Welcoming Remarks

8:30 am

.75 hr

Texas Is an "At Will" State... So Why Worry?

An overview of the legal aspects of the employment relationship and how tort law has been adapted in the workplace. Answering the client or the supervisor who thinks employment law begins and ends with "employment-at-will": What about terminating an employee for theft? Is there ever an obligation to give a reference on a former employee? How can a handshake get a manager sued for assault? What is intentional infliction of emotional distress? Can employee violence really be prevented? Is negligent retention really a cause of action?

Understanding the difference between disparate treatment and disparate impact, and why it matters. Why do you need to know about the "shifting burden of proof"? How can you prevent liability for harassment even after it occurs.

Learn the basics of wage and hour law and why violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act have exploded. Among the areas covered are: Who is exempt and who is not, and what difference does it make? What is working time? How is overtime calculated? What are the most common mistakes and how do you avoid them?

The FMLA was the first federal act that required an employer to provide time off for employees. Learn the basics of the law which has been amended to cover additional types of leave.

Connie L. Cornell,
Cornell Smith Mierl & Brutocao, LLP - Austin, TX

1:30 pm

1.00 hr

Hiring/Firing/Discipline/Documentation

The basics of managing employees. Recognize the vulnerable points in the employment relationship and learn the best practices to make sure you minimize the number of problems and maximize your chances of successfully defending your actions when challenged.

Connie L. Cornell,
Cornell Smith Mierl & Brutocao, LLP - Austin, TX

2:30 pm

Break

2:45 pm

.75 hr

Defensive Drafting: Handbooks and Forms

Avoid common mistakes in drafting employee handbooks and learn about the latest in policies covering hot topics like social media. Learn what other human resource forms can help support the company's defenses and prove good faith efforts to comply.

Connie L. Cornell,
Cornell Smith Mierl & Brutocao, LLP - Austin, TX

3:30 pm

1.00 hr

Investigating Sensitive Employment Complaints

The investigation of an employee's complaint may be critical to an employer's only means of avoiding liability. The investigator may be a witness and the notes may be evidence. Learn how to investigate and document the process.

Connie L. Cornell,
Cornell Smith Mierl & Brutocao, LLP - Austin, TX

4:30 pm

.50 hr

Annual Performance Reviews

What are the pros and cons of evaluation systems? Are they really worth it? How to curb grade inflation? What are the alternatives?

Connie L. Cornell,
Cornell Smith Mierl & Brutocao, LLP - Austin, TX

5:00 pm

Adjourn

Wednesday Afternoon

Luncheon Presentation

12:20 pm

.50 hr

Q&A with the Instructors

Real-world questions are answered by the experts. Submit your questions, comments and/or experiences in advance to service@utcle.org or come armed with your toughest questions. This session is designed to be interactive. Audience participation is encouraged!

The FMLA was the first federal act that required an employer to provide time off for employees. Learn the basics of the law which has been amended to cover additional types of leave.

Connie L. Cornell,
Cornell Smith Mierl & Brutocao, LLP - Austin, TX

1:30 pm

1.00 hr

Hiring/Firing/Discipline/Documentation

The basics of managing employees. Recognize the vulnerable points in the employment relationship and learn the best practices to make sure you minimize the number of problems and maximize your chances of successfully defending your actions when challenged.

Connie L. Cornell,
Cornell Smith Mierl & Brutocao, LLP - Austin, TX

2:30 pm

Break

2:45 pm

.75 hr

Defensive Drafting: Handbooks and Forms

Avoid common mistakes in drafting employee handbooks and learn about the latest in policies covering hot topics like social media. Learn what other human resource forms can help support the company's defenses and prove good faith efforts to comply.

Connie L. Cornell,
Cornell Smith Mierl & Brutocao, LLP - Austin, TX

3:30 pm

1.00 hr

Investigating Sensitive Employment Complaints

The investigation of an employee's complaint may be critical to an employer's only means of avoiding liability. The investigator may be a witness and the notes may be evidence. Learn how to investigate and document the process.

Connie L. Cornell,
Cornell Smith Mierl & Brutocao, LLP - Austin, TX

4:30 pm

.50 hr

Annual Performance Reviews

What are the pros and cons of evaluation systems? Are they really worth it? How to curb grade inflation? What are the alternatives?

MCLE Credit

A Texas MCLE Reporting Form will be included in your course materials. Please complete and return to the registration desk and UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the State Bar of Texas, or you can self-report your credit directly to the State Bar of Texas at texasbar.com. A Certificate of Attendance will be provided at the conference to keep for your records.

Live Conferences: At the conference, you will need to sign in on the Record of Attendance form at the registration desk. Self-report your CLE credit directly to the State Bar of California at calbar.ca.gov. You will receive a Certificate of Attendance at the conference to keep for your records. UT Law CLE will maintain Attendance Records for four years.

At the conference, you will need to sign in on the Record of Attendance form at the registration desk. UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the Oklahoma Bar Association within 30 days after the conference. You will receive a Certificate of Attendance at the conference to keep for your records.

Other States

Many jurisdictions accept conferences offered by The University of Texas School of Law, and approved by the State Bar of Texas, for CLE credit.
Please check with your jurisdiction's regulatory authority. A Certificate of Attendance and credit reporting documentation will be provided at the conference.

MCLE Credit

A Texas MCLE Reporting Form will be included in your course materials. Please complete and return to the registration desk and UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the State Bar of Texas, or you can self-report your credit directly to the State Bar of Texas at texasbar.com. A Certificate of Attendance will be provided at the conference to keep for your records.

Live Conferences: At the conference, you will need to sign in on the Record of Attendance form at the registration desk. Self-report your CLE credit directly to the State Bar of California at calbar.ca.gov. You will receive a Certificate of Attendance at the conference to keep for your records. UT Law CLE will maintain Attendance Records for four years.

At the conference, you will need to sign in on the Record of Attendance form at the registration desk. UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the Oklahoma Bar Association within 30 days after the conference. You will receive a Certificate of Attendance at the conference to keep for your records.

Other States

Many jurisdictions accept conferences offered by The University of Texas School of Law, and approved by the State Bar of Texas, for CLE credit.
Please check with your jurisdiction's regulatory authority. A Certificate of Attendance and credit reporting documentation will be provided at the conference.

MCLE Credit

A Texas MCLE Reporting Form will be included in your course materials. Please complete and return to the registration desk and UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the State Bar of Texas, or you can self-report your credit directly to the State Bar of Texas at texasbar.com. A Certificate of Attendance will be provided at the conference to keep for your records.

Live Conferences: At the conference, you will need to sign in on the Record of Attendance form at the registration desk. Self-report your CLE credit directly to the State Bar of California at calbar.ca.gov. You will receive a Certificate of Attendance at the conference to keep for your records. UT Law CLE will maintain Attendance Records for four years.

At the conference, you will need to sign in on the Record of Attendance form at the registration desk. UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the Oklahoma Bar Association within 30 days after the conference. You will receive a Certificate of Attendance at the conference to keep for your records.

Other States

Many jurisdictions accept conferences offered by The University of Texas School of Law, and approved by the State Bar of Texas, for CLE credit.
Please check with your jurisdiction's regulatory authority. A Certificate of Attendance and credit reporting documentation will be provided at the conference.